Anti-diversity activist Robby Starbuck is suing Google now
Robby Starbuck is suing Google, claiming that its AI search tools falsely linked him to sexual assault allegations and white nationalist Richard Spencer.
This is the second case that Starbuck, known for his online campaigns against corporate diversity efforts, has brought against a major tech company over its AI products. In April, Starbuck sued Meta, claiming that its AI falsely insisted that he participated in the January 6th attack on the Capitol and that he had been arrested for a misdemeanor. That suit was settled when Meta hired Starbuck as an advisor to combat “ideological and political bias” in its chatbot.
Google spokesperson José Castañeda told The Verge that the company will “review the complaint when we receive it.” However, he did say that, “most of these claims relate to hallucinations in Bard that we addressed in 2023. Hallucinations are a well known issue for all LLMs, which we disclose and work hard to minimize. But as everyone knows, if you’re creative enough, you can prompt a chatbot to say something misleading.”
The exact terms of the Meta settlement are unknown, but it was part of a string of hires by Meta that seem aimed at quelling furor from the right. Whether or not Starbuck’s suit would have succeeded on its merits is open for debate.
The Wall Street Journal notes that no court in the US has awarded anyone damages in a defamation suit involving an AI chatbot. Conservative radio host Mark Walters sued OpenAI in 2023, claiming that ChatGPT had defamed him by linking him to accusations of fraud and embezzlement. However, the court found in favor of OpenAI, saying that Walters had failed to prove “actual malice.” That being said, LLMs and AI chatbots are very new technologies, and there is still a lack of legal precedent surrounding them.
Starbuck filed suit in the Delaware Superior Court and is seeking $15 million in damages from Google, according to the Wall Street Journal. But chances are he’d be just as happy with a position of influence at the company, as he managed to secure at Meta.
Robby Starbuck is suing Google, claiming that its AI search tools falsely linked him to sexual assault allegations and white nationalist Richard Spencer. This is the second case that Starbuck, known for his online campaigns against corporate diversity efforts, has brought against a major tech company over its AI products.…
Recent Posts
- Shokz upgraded its open earbuds with better sound and a lighter design
- Shokz says its clip-on OpenDots 2 earbuds focus on improved volume and bass
- How to watch England vs New Zealand: TV Channels, Full Schedule & 1st Test Preview
- Nomad Goods Promo Codes: Get 25% Off in June 2026
- NordVPN Coupons and Deals: 77% Off in June 2026
Archives
- June 2026
- May 2026
- April 2026
- March 2026
- February 2026
- January 2026
- December 2025
- November 2025
- October 2025
- September 2025
- August 2025
- July 2025
- June 2025
- May 2025
- April 2025
- March 2025
- February 2025
- January 2025
- December 2024
- November 2024
- October 2024
- September 2024
- August 2024
- July 2024
- June 2024
- May 2024
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023